Danan John Wark, abbot of Cloud Zendo in Pilot Hill, practices koan introspection and has received inka from Zen Master BoMun (George Bowman) in the Single Flower Sangha tradition. Master BoMun is associated with the Kwan Um School of Zen and also with Boundless Way Zen. John has also studied koans with Tenshin Reb Anderson […]
Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin in Illinois and with Rev. Val Szymanski in California. She was priest ordained in 2019 by Sojun Diane Martin. She will offer her talk in the Meditation Hall. *Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977
So'on Jim Hare serves as Tanto, or head of practice. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, and was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period. He was priest ordained by Rev. Myo Lahey in […]
Joining us this evening is Reverend Mary Mocine, abbess of Clear Water Zendo in Vallejo. She was trained at San Francisco and Berkeley Zen Centers, and Tassajara Zen Monastery. She was ordained in 1994 by Sojun Mel Weitsman, former Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center and continuing Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. Reverend Mocine has […]
On Retreat Night we offer an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with two or three 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (called kinhin). Turning the light inward we explore the causes of suffering and what can end it. This invitation is extended to everyone. *Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977
Senior student and longtime member of Valley Streams Sangha, Oscar was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson. *Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977
BIPOC Sangha is pleased to welcome Professor Rhonda Magee for "Reflections on Engaged Mindfulness: The Inner Work of Confronting Social Injustice in a Time of Distress" *This program is for BIPOC practitioners. REGISTER FOR THIS ONLINE PROGRAM Rhonda Magee, MA, JD has dedicated her life to healing and teaching that inspires personal, interpersonal and collective transformation. Professor […]
Shi Shin Brendan O'Brien has been a member of the Valley Streams community for the past three years. He is also a member of the Hartford Street Zen Sangha in San Francisco. Recently, in October, he received the Bodhisattva precepts from Rev. Myō Lahey and Rev. So'On Jim Hare. Brendan is a student of history […]
Rohatsu means the 8th day of the 12th month, which is the traditional day for celebrating Buddha's enlightenment. Sesshin means 'to gather the mind.' As the darkest days of the year approach, we sit together with the principle of awakening, fully opening to the 'wisdom beyond wisdom' that is revealed in sitting meditation. The initial […]
Morning Rohatsu schedule, Monday - Wednesday - ONLINE 6:00 Zazen 6:30 Kinhin 6:40 Zazen 7:10 Service Register for week-long program on Eventbrite. Full Rohatsu schedule This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of […]
Online Evening schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 5:00 pm Zazen 5:30 pm Service Break/Dinner 7:30 pm Zazen 8:00 pm Kinhin 8:10 pm Zazen 8:40 pm Refuges This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time […]
The Full Moon Ceremony acknowledges the karma created by our intentional actions, and reminds us to renew our commitment to the ethical conduct expressed as the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts. These are guiding principles for our daily conduct in the world. This ceremony is rooted in a ritual from pre-Buddhist India. Texts for the chants are […]